Following a successful 2014 workshop production of THAT MAN at London Theatre Workshop, throughout 2015 Wendy Gill rewrote and reworked the show to create an even stronger story incorporating more of David Schreurs’ and Vincent Degiorgio’s songs.

One of the biggest changes to the show was taking the story back to 1950s London, which meant that the night club in the story could become the iconic Flamingo Club. In the 1950s the Flamingo Club played an important role in the development of British rhythm and blues and jazz; the club had a wide social appeal and was a favourite haunt for musicians, and performers there included Sarah Vaughan, Ella Fitzgerald, and Billie Holiday; the perfect home for the retro sound of Caro Emerald’s music.

The special staged concert was presented at an equally famous building in London, The Hippodrome. In the late 1950s The Hippodrome theatre was converted into The Talk of The Town nightclub, where performers from around the world including Judy Garland, Eartha Kitt, Shirley Bassey, Sammy Davis Jr., Diana Ross & The Supremes, Liza Minnelli, and Stevie Wonder performed. It was the perfect performance space for a show set in the Flamingo Club.

Both performances of THAT MAN at the Hippodrome (the industry matinee and the evening public show) sold out.

The marketing and print design for the show deliberately avoided relying on the Caro Emerald brand and Grandmono’s distinctive artwork in order to test the production’s credentials and commercial viability.

2016 STAGED CONCERT

The special staged concert featured BBC Eastenders star Jonny Labey as Rick. Other cast members were well-known West End stars representing hit shows such as “Wicked”, “Les Miserables”, “We Will Rock You”, “Beautiful”, and “Mrs. Henderson Presents”.

The band was under the direction of experienced West End musical director Iain Vince-Gatt, and choreography was by multi-award-nominated Anthony Whiteman. Paul directed the show which was supported by a grant from the Arts Council.